High stake log bunk



F. W. CHRISWELL HIGH STAKE LOG BUNK April 21, 1953 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed July 2, 1948 1N VEN TOR.

Aprxl 21,'1953 F. w. cHRlswELL HIGH sTAxE Los BUNK Filed July 2, t19423 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR. .am M

Patented Apr. 21, 1953 HIGH STAKE LOG BUNK Frederick W. Chriswell, Seattle, Wash., assigner to Pacific Car and Foundry Company, Renton,

Wash.

Application July 2, 1948, Serial No. 36,633

19 Claims.

This invention relates to log bunks of the high stake type and is an improvement on my prior Patent No. 2,382,002, dated August 14, 1945.

Theprimary object of this invention is to develop a high stake log bunk of basically conventional design and suitable for use in lieu of or as a substitute for the usual low stake type log bunk, the present adaptation permitting a movement of the stake to its full height to facilitate maximum loading and increased protection against lateral displacementof the load.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for the stake including a bell crank structure, one arm of which is bifurcated and moves with and assumes a position with the bifurcated parts parallel to and at each side of the stake to retain the same in a rigid locked position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high stake type bunk in which the stakes when in upright position are substantially enclosed and fully protected below their pivot point, the stakes being moved to and retained in their vertical position by locking means, which latter is capable of release at the opposite end of the bunk relative to which the stake to be released is positioned.

A further object is to provide an assembly inV which the stake in the lower position is shielded by the bunk structure, and maintained in vertical position by a counterweight.

Other objects of this invention will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawings and specication wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section, showing one stake in lowered position and the other stake in elevated position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the invention;

Figure 3 is an end elevation showing a stake in its upper position;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on line 4-4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section through the end of a bunk showing the stake and its operating mechanism in position when the stake is lowered;

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a transverse section on line 'I--l of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a transverse section on line 8-8 of Figure 5.

As stated, the main bunk structure is generally in accordance with and of the type shown in my prior Patent No. 2,382,002 and comprehends a bolster, including side walls I and 2. These walls may be flanged horizontally and extended outward at their lower edges 3 and l to provide a footing or base, and the upper marginal edges of the side walls may be beaded as at 5 and 6 in the nature of a bulb flange to add to the rigidity of the structure. The side walls I and 2 of the main bunk extend from end to end of the bunk assembly and the end portions are reiniorced by the spaced vertical side Walls 'I of the end filler assembly. These vertical side walls 'I of the end ller assemblies are each preferably welded at their top and bottom as indicated at 8 to the side walls l and 2 and project above the beaded flanges 5 and 6 of these walls I and 2 as more clearly shown in Figure 4. The vertical Walls 1 of the end llers and side Walls I and 2 of the main bunk are each pierced to form aligned openings 9, the openings in the walls I being elongated as shown to form horizontal sockets for the pins I0 and these pins are adapted to move in the elongated openings 9 formed in the side Walls 1 of the ller in a horizontal plane to the extent permitted by the elongated nature of the openings, as best shown in Figure 5. Upon the pins I0 are mounted the main stake assemblies II of bell crank form shown in detail in Figure 5, these bell crank members being of substantially right angle form with one leg operating as the main stake element and the other leg as the control therefor to maintain the main stake portion vertical during use and through suitable operating mechanism to lower the same together with auxiliary stake extensions. These parts may be cast in one piece or formed as shown of spaced iiat elements and connected together by transverse intermediate stays I2 extending from Wall to wall adjacent the marginal edge of the structure. One end portion of each side wall of the main stakes II is fixed to a tubular sleeve I4, the latter having lining or bearing I5 for pivotal movement on the pins 55. The free or outer ends of the bell crank structures lI have transverse pivot pins I6 which pierce the auxiliary stakes A substantially medially of their length and provide pivotal mountings for ythese auxiliary stake elements.

Each of the auxiliary stake elements A is fabricated as shown to include the side walls Il connected at their rear marginal edges by the connecting plate I8 and at the front edge for the greater portion of their central structure by the connecting plate I9. The outer or front edge 3 of the stake has inclined faces 2i) and 2l which extend from the widened central portion of the stake to the reduced end portion.

At the angle of each bell crank arm of the main stake structure which supports the stakes are cross pins 22, these pins each being formed with V-shaped lateral extensions 23 which may extend throughout the longitudinal length of the pins 22 and are constructed and arranged to engage the angular faces 24 of the lower guide plate structures 25-2@ which are fixed to the inner faces of the side walls 1 of the iiller assembly. The lower guideY plates include elongated shank portions 23 and depending outer projections 25, the latter having outer curved faces 25 as best shown in Fig. 5, for association with the cross pins 22 as the latter swing downwardly with the main stake I I. It will be noted that the diagonal faces 24 of the lower guides, which cooperate withl the V-projections, 23 to seat the latter whenthe main stake Ii is inits upper position, are formed by shearing the guide plates diagonallyr at their upper and outer corners 24. The shanks 26 of the guide plates which are fixed by welding or otherwise to the inner faces of the side walls 1 of the filler assembly are arranged with their upper faces in a horizontal plane and these faces are spaced from and lie parallel to the upper guide rails or bars 21 which are likewise welded or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the side walls 1 of the filler assembly along the upper marginal edges thereof. The inner ends of the shanks 26 project inwardly to a point immediately adjacent the xed cross member 28, which extends between walls 1 and forms a fulcrum for movement of one arm of the main stake ii when the latter is eitherrraised or lowered. The cross member 28 is tilted at an angle to the perpendicular and inherently forms a bracing structure for the spaced walls with which it is connected. Upper guide railsor bar 21 are positioned above and in horizontal spaced relation to` the guides 26fand. dene a path of movement` for the operating pin I0. The cross member 23 extends between the vertical side walls 1 of thel end ller at the inner ends of the guide rails 26, andabuts against .the inner angular faces of the guide rails 26 to form in association therewith a. stop elevment for determining the movement of the bell crank members, and to force the operating bar forward when released. Pivoted operating arms 30 are connected to each pivot pin I 0 and extend between the spaced walls of the bolster, these operating arms being formed with depending lugs 3I which engage notches formed in the transverse lock plates 32 in accordance with the invention disclosed in my prior patent. space between the top of the side walls of the bolster is connected by I-beams 31, these. I-beams having flanges 33 extending above the side plates I and 2 of the bunk body and having their top edges flush with the upper edges of. the project- The ing vertical plates 1 of the end fillers at the Y bolster assembly at points intermediate the in- Y serts, the space betweentheI-beams .33; and the inserts being left open to permit swinging move- 4 ment of the bell cranks II forming the main stakes which carry the stakes from operative to inoperative position. The bolster body is also open at its end, this arrangement being necessary because or the limited outward swinging movement of the auxiliary A stakes on their control bell crank levers, it being obvious by an inspection of the structure that these stakes A are so constructed and arranged that during their movement they will extend beyond the ends of the side walls, but will maintain a vertical position on account of the lower end being heavier or counterweighted by weight member 2l.

It will be noted that the vertical plates 1 of the end llers and lower guide members 25-26 can be fabricated as a unit with. the cross bar or stop 28 fixed at the inner ends of these bars in their spaced position so that they may be inserted and xed in position with a minimum amount of difliculty and expenditure.`

It will also be noted that the plates 25-26 which form the guides for the bell crank and stakes are formedV with curved iaces` 25 at their outer ends, these curved faces corresponding to an arc, the center of whichis represented by the axis of the pivot pinlil when in its outer position in its elongated guideways. The upper position of the stake is determined by the seating engagement of the pin 22 on the-anglefaces 24 of the guide membersY 25-23 when the, inner arm of the bell crank has moved to ahorizontal position and the pivot pin IIJl is moved inwardly in theguide slot Si. In the upright position of the main stake the outer bell crank arm or main stake element is vertical and encloses the lower portion of the auxiliary stake A, the -pin prejection 23 seating on the inclinedshoulder 24; This seating of the bell crank is brought about by the inward movement of the pin I in its guide slots.

It will be noted that the bell crank lever II has its outer free arm provided with the connecting reinforcing plates I2 only at the inner part of the structure, while the inner arm of the bell crank lever has the reinforcing connecting plates not only at the inner side of the structure as shown at l2, but also at theouter side as at E2. This arrangement is-necessary in order that the space between thel side `plates of the outer arm or the bell crank may be clear to provide a pocket in which the lowerportion of the auxiliary stake A is positioned and secured against further movement when in its upper position as shown at the left-side of Figure 1'. The pivot pin i6 connecting the spaced walls of stake A and the crank arm I i while arranged generally medially of the stake structure is not exactly in the center as the upper portionY of the stake may be longer than the lower portion, as this lower portion must be of such a length as to be received within and between AtheV spaced Walls of the outer crank arm portion I i as shown more clearly in Figure 3. rI`he lowerend of the stake must be counterweighted or heavier` than the upper end as by counterweight-2if- Itwill be noted that at the elbow of the bell crank II there are inwardly projecting stop-or guide members 50 which cooperate with'the bottom end: of the stake A when the latter is fully elevated, in which position the lower end of the stakeis enclosed between the side plates of the bell,V crank assembly, Thus when` the auxiliary stakelA is in elevated position it is snugly Vhousedand bracedagainst displacement and'is locked in the upper position by the control locking'- arms 30 which engage and lock in association with the transverse plates 32. This construction is conventional as disclosed by applicants prior patents such as Patent No. 1,224,276 of May 1, 1917.

In the operation of the present stake structure, each stake is operated from a position at the opposite end of the bunk structure, this operating means being somewhat conventional and consisting of the locks and lock plates 30, 3| and 32, respectively. The movement of the control arm 30 connected to either of the stake assemblies will release the stake and when the stake is raised to its elevated position will lock it in that position, the movement of the arm shifting the cross pin I and the bell crank Il swinging vertically on the cross member 28 as the fulcrum. During the swinging movement of the main stake or bell crank l l the connecting pin 22 contacts and travels along the guide face 25' until the projection 23 is seated upon the angular face of the faces 24 of the guide rails 26 in H which position the locks on the arm'30 are in position to engage the lock plates 32 to retain the bell crank in its upper supported position with the stake vertical. This movement of the bell crank main stake ll results in the auxiliary stake A moving in a vertical plane owing to its lower end being counterweighted until its lower end portion is confined between the walls of the outer end of the main stake or bell crank Il which outer end of the bell crank assumes the position above the upper face of the guide rails 26. The lower end of the stake A engages the stop members 50 and is prevented from moving inwardly out of vertical alignment. The side walls of the main stake crank arms or bell crank lever il prevents lateral movement or lateral displacement of the auxiliary stakes A when in their upper position, which is the position in which they are placed under load.

When the stake is in operating position should a swinging load strike the top of the stake it will move inwardly, turning on its pivot I6, but will drop back into position owing to its counterweight.

I'claim:

1. A bunk including a body formed of spaced side walls and a connecting base, a ller arranged within each end of said bunk between said spaced side walls, said filler including vertical walls fixed to the inner faces of the side walls of said body, longitudinally extending transversely aligned guide slots formed in the vertical walls of said llers, a pivot pin arranged to travel in each pair of guide slots, spaced parallel guide rails fixed to the inner face of each vertical wall of each ller above and below said elongated slots, the lower guide rails each including at its outer end a depending portion having an arcuate outer guide face, said guide faces each having as its center the axis of said pivot pin when the latter is in the outer end of its slot, and stake mechanism for each end of said bunk, said stake mechanism including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at one end on one of said pivot pins, a stake pivoted medially to the other endof each bell crank lever, a guide pin carried medially of each bell crank and adapted to contact each guide face during its upward movement as said bell crank swings on its pivot, a support for the medially arranged guide pin of said bell crank for receiving said guide pin when said pivot .pin has been shifted, and means for locking said stake mechanism against lateral displacement when said guide pin is positioned on its support.

2. A bunk including a body formed of spaced side walls and a connecting base, a filler arranged within each end of said bunk between said spaced walls, said filler including vertical walls xed to the inner side walls of said body, longitudinally extending transversely aligned slots formed in the vertical walls of said fillers, a pivot pin arranged to travel in each pair' of guide slots, spaced parallel guide rails xed to the inner face of each vertical wall of each iiller above and below said elongated slots, arcuate guide members arranged at the ends of the lower guide rails, said arcuate guide members having their contour dei-lned by an axis determined by the longitudinal center of said pivot pins when the latter are arranged' in the outer ends of their slots, a stop bar extending between the vertical walls of said filler and arranged below said aligned slots, and a stake mechanism for each end of said bunk, said stake mechanism including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at-one end on one of said pivot pins, a stake medally pivoted to the other end of each bell crank lever, a guide pin carried medially of each bell crank and adapted to contact said arcuate guide members during its upward movement as said bell crank swings on its pivot, means for supporting said guide pin at the end of the movement of said bell crank, and means for locking said stake mechanism against lateral displacement when said guide pin is positioned on its support.

3. A bunk including a body formed of spaced side walls and a connecting base, a filler arranged in an end of said bunk between said spaced side walls, said ller including vertical Y walls abutting the inner faces of the side walls of said body, longitudinally extending transversely aligned elongated slots formed in the vertical walls of the ller, a pivot pin arranged to travel in said guide slots, spaced parallel guide members above and below said elongated slots, the lower guide portions each including a downwardly extending outer end including an arcuate outer guide face, said arcuate guide faces having as their center the axis of said pins when in the outer end of said slots, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at one end on each pin, a stake medially pivoted on the other` end of each bell crank lever, a guide pin carried medially of each bell crank lever and adapted to contact said arcuate guide face during upward movement of said bell crank on its pivot pin, and means for locking said bell cranks in position when said pins are in the ends of said slots.

4. In a bunk structure having spaced walls and including a pair of elongated transversely aligned guideways arranged inward at each end of said walls, pivot pins carried in said guideways, a fulcrum member extending from side wall to side wall of said bunk structure below and rearward of the outer ends of said guideways, and a stake assembly for each end of said bunk, each stake assembly including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said pivot pins at one end and pivotally supporting a stake structure medially its length at the opposite end, means including an arm for swinging said bell crank on its pivot pin and in association with said fulcrum member whereby said stake may be elevated to vertical position, and means for locking said bell crank against downward movement.

5. In combination with a logging bunk having a body including spaced walls and a longitudinally movable pivot pin, a high stake assembly for said bunk including a bell crank arm pivotally supported at one en d on said movable pivot pins,

said. bell crank lever being provided mjedially with a guide pin 'and having a stake pivoted at its other end, means including an arm for swinging said bellcrank on its pivot pin andA for sliding said pin, guide members carried by said spaced side walls for Vengaging said guide pin lduring swing-ing movement-of said bell-y crank,` and across member between said side walls positioned to engage said bell crank to'for-ma fulcrum-for same during its swinging. movement.

6'. n combination with `a logging bunknhapving4 a body including spaced side walls and longitudinally movable pivot pins; a high stake assembly for said bunk-including: a bell crank arm formed of spaced platesanda'daptedto be pivotally supported at one end-onone; of said movable pivot pins-,saidbellcrank lever being provided medially with av guide pin# and having a stake medially pivoted toitsother end,marginal transverse stays connecting Y 'saidspacedplates, means including an armior swingingsaidbellcrank on its pivot pin and for sliding said pin, guide members carried by said spaced side walls for engaging said guideV pin during'v swinging movementI of said bell crank, and af cross member between said side wallsiorminga'fulcrum-for said bell crank during itsfswinging: movement.

7. In combination with logging` bunk-'having a loodyincluding` spaced side-walls, a ller arranged within one end of said bunk between said spaced side walls, said-llerincluding vertical walls abutting the side walls of'saidbody, and a longitudinally movable pivot pin supported by said vertical walls; achigh stake assembly for said bunk including al bell crank-'arm adapted to be pivotally supported at'one end'on said movable pin, a fulcruin structure supported' by said bunk body, rneansincluding.V an-arm for swinging-said bell crank on' said fulcrum member from a depending position-with theother end of the bell crank to aposition vbeneath said` pin to an upperv position withsaid other end of said bell crank inV avertical plane; means for retaining 'said bell crankr in its upper' position,v an-auxiliary stake member medially: p-ivoted Vto the otherl end of said bell crank; and-meansifor retaining said stake'mem-Y ber in vertical=-positio`nregardless of the position of said bell crank. e

8;The substance of-claim 7 characterized in that the'bell` crank isfprovided with a pocket'for receiving. the'lower'end'of said stake'member when the bell crank'isshifted to a position withits other end'in-avertical plane.

9. The substance of claim 7 characterizedin that the bell crank Aincludes a transversely extending guide'pin'which4 cooperates with `guide faces extending inwardly of the bunk body.

l0. The substance of claim '7 characterized-in that the bell crank is ksoma-de as to provide a recess for receiving the Vlower end of the stake when the latter is in vits elevated position;

11. The substance'of'claim 7 -characteri'zed'in that the stake 'member is provided with a pocket andstop members'for receiving the lower lend of the stake `when the latter is'in its upper position, said-stop members retaining saidstake against swinging movement away v from the bunk body.

12.V The vsubstar'ic'e of claim 7 characterized in thatboth-the bell crank and the auxiliary stakev are fabricated from -spaced plates, with marginal braces 'arranged therebetween for retaining `the plates inparallel alignment;

13. `In combination with logging bunk having a body lincludingspacedfwalls and longitudinally movable pivotpinis'iafhi'gh stake assembly'ffor vsaid- 8 bunkincludirg a bell crank arm adaptedto be pivotally sup-ported at one end of said movable pins, a Afulcrurn structure supported by said bunk body, V means including an arm for swinging said bell crank on saidfulcrum from suspended position with the outer end of the bell crank in a horizontal plane to an upper position withY the outer end of said bell `crank in a vertical plane, means for retaining said bell crank in its upper position, an auxiliary stake member pivotally mounted medially of its length to the outer end of said bell crank, and weight means for retaining said auxiliary stake in vertical position. Y e

14. A bunk having a body portion including spaced side walls and top and bottom connecting portions, a stake arranged ,at the end of the bunk body of angle form, means supporting one end portion of one of the legs' of the stake between the spa-cedV side walls for downward swinging movement to a position with the outer ieg of the stake in a plane beneath the bunk body, an arm forming a stake extension pivotally connected at a point adjacent its center to the outer end portion of said outer leg, means for retaining said arm in vertical alignment when the connected leg of the stake is swung to its horizontal position between said side walls, and means shiftable longitudinally of the' side walls of the bunk body for swinging the stake on its pivot.

l5. A bunk having a body portion including spaced side walls and top and bottom connecting portions, a main stake assembly of angle form arranged at an end oi the'bunk body, said stake when in its normal operating position having its outer legY in Vertical position and its inner leg in a horizontal position between said side walis, means pivotally supporting theinner end portion of the inner leg of said stake between the spaced side walls 'for downward swinging movement to a position inV whi'chthe outer leg of the stake lies in a plane beneath the bunk body, an auxiliary stake pivotally'connected at a point adjacent its center to the outer end portion or" said outer leg, means for retaining said auxiliary stake in vertical position and'in alignment with the outer leg of the main stake when said main stake is in normal operatng position, means for locking said auX- iliary stake against inward folding movement when in aligned position with the outer leg of the main' stake, means for maintaining said auxiliary stake in a vertical position when the outer leg of themain stake is swung on its pivot to its lower horizontal position beneath said bunk.

16. The Astructure of vclaim 15 characterized in that means'are provided'for securing the main stake in its upper position.

17. The structure of claim 15 characterized in that means are fixed to the side walls of the bunk for'supporting association' with the inner leg of the main stake'to retain the same in its upper position.'

lfThe structure of claim l5 characterized in that 'the pivotal support for the inner leg of the main stake is vshiftable to move said stake inwardly and longitudinally of the bunk to a position ci Yrest upon guideways projecting from the side wallsof the bunk.

19.v A'bunk body including spaced side walls, a mainstake of angle form arranged at one end of 'the bunk body.' said main stake in normal opierating position having its inner arm substantially'horizontal and pivotally associated at its inner end with'said side walls, the other arm of substantiallyA vertical" and positioned at the outer 9 marginal edge portion of the bunk, means including an operating rod engaging said stake and movable longitudinally of said bunk body for releasing said stake to permit it to swing on its pivot to its lower position in which the normally vertical arm of the stake assumes a position below said pivot, a stake extension pivoted substantially medially of its length to the outer end portion of the normally vertical arm of said stake,

means carried by the normally vertical arm of 10 said main stake for securing said stake extension against inward swinging movement on its pivot when said main stake arm is in vertical position, means swinging said stake extension on its pivot to retain the same in vertical position when the normally upright arm of said stake is lowered to its horizontal position, and means securing the main stake body in its normal vertical position.

FREDERICK W. CHRISWELL.

No references cited. 

